If an adoption occurred in 1918, would if HAVE to go through the court system? Would a name change need to go through the court system? I have a situation in which a baby was born to a younger, unmarried sister and then raised by an older, married sister. The name on the birth certificate is not the name the baby used. I get the sense that perhaps this was NOT handled by the legal system, but I can't be sure and don't even know how to go about looking for court records, if they exist. I appreciate any guidance you might be able to provide!